NICK HENRY is in the unusual position of seeing his stock as a player with Tranmere Rovers go up over the last few days while he has not kicked a ball in anger.

NICK HENRY is in the unusual position of seeing his stock as a player with Tranmere Rovers go up over the last few days while he has not kicked a ball in anger.

By his own admission the 31-year-old midfielder is not the most eye-catching or naturally gifted player in the Tranmere squad but manager Dave Watson is rapidly moving to the conclusion that he is among the most influential.

last weekend when Tranmere found themselves overrun by opponents who had been struggling at the foot of the table for most of the season.

Henry was serving a onematch suspension for accumulating five bookings - the price he must invariably pay for refusing to compromise his combative, ball-winning style.

Watson says: "I believe we need Nick Henry's qualities in the side, not only for what he does but also because he brings the best out of others."

The fact that Henry was also absent from the side at Brentford, where Tranmere suffered another heavy away defeat a month ago, is not lost on Watson.

The manager ordered a backtobasics regime on the training ground yesterday as Tranmere addressed the problems thrown up by their performance at the Sixfields Stadium.

Watson said: "We spoke about how we think we lost the game.

"Maybe one or two were thinking Northampton was going to be easy because they were not having the best of times.

"It just goes to show what can happen if you are not tuned in week in, week out."

While Watson is frustrated by the unpredictable nature of his team's performances he is not alone. Most managers in division two are currently experiencing the same problems.

He says: "Teams are going from one extreme to another. I watched Northampton at Oldham the other week and they could have conceded six goals. Northampton had us watched when we beat Blackpool by four goals and could not believe how poor we were on Saturday.

"Bristol City are one of the best sides in the division and looked it when they beat us, but I saw them lose at Peterborough and the scoreline could easily have been 6-1.

"Cardiff and Wigan were favourites to do well at the start of the season but nothing much is happening from them so far.

"At the moment it's a very ordinary division. No-one is running away with it. I expect Bristol City, Stoke and QPR to be up there at the end.

"As for us, I think consistency will come. We got a good reaction after the Brentford game. We need to do the same."

Meanwhile, Blackpool are reported to be showing an interest in Rovers centre-back Dave Challinor, who has not figured in the first team regularly this season.

Tranmere suffered no casualties at the weekend and could have experienced striker Paul Rideout back in first team contention soon.

Rideout is fit again and due to play for the reserves in a Cheshire Senior Cup first round tie at Stalybridge Celtic tomorrow.

* TRANMERE will stage another fund-raising sports forum at the Prentonian Suite tonight at 7.30pm.

The theme of the evening is "Youth on our Side".

Youth director Warwick Rimmer, coach John McMahon and Glyn Salmon from the school of excellence will be on hand to answer supporters' questions.

Proceeds from the evening will go towards financing a new minibus for the youth department.

Tickets at #3 are available from the club shop, the ticket office or on the door.